Motorboat

Avery: "you have a motorboat in your tush....and it goed long time.... "

(We'll leave it to the reader to figure out what she's describing)

Christmas '03

For Connor, the year of the firetruck. For Avery, all things Ariel.

Santa brought kids bikes for the grubs, along with "the firetruck at Shane's house" [Shane Whitney] for Connor, and an Ariel Disney sweatshirt for Avery.

We did Xmas for the Hanan clan up in HB on Sunday (Buzz and Princess tents, and suit cases), and then Xmas day was here at our house with Jamie's parents.

Among the other gifts: robot fireman (Auntie Erin), cash register / scanner / money (Dama Barbara Ann), jewelry to fill up AP's disney Ariel box, games, puzzles, books, stickers, rc car that goes "all crazy", all the usual.

Lead up to Christmas

We had an Advent calendar to help the kids countdown to Christmas. It has pull out drawers for the 24 days. Each night, we'd put a couple items in the drawer for the next morning -- fun to hear the kids reaction when they sneak under the gate at the top of the stairs, and then first thing....see what's in the drawer.

Items ranged from "cones" (candy corn), marshmallows, gummy bear vitamins (AP: "are gummy bears candy"), M&M's (occassionally there'd be an extra M&M with the candy of the day -- that extra was for Daddy!). The first time there was this extra M&M for daddy, it was half eaten, and wet, then put back into the drawer --- thanks Connor, for saving it for me!!!

Disneyland

The kids have been bringing up the "DL" for a while now, after our single adventure there before their 3rd birthday.

A friend that I helped with Urban Challenge, Paul, works in the IT department at Disneyland, so he "signed in" for 3 of us. Awesome!

Long day - got up there about 10:15am, and went the whole day through, no naps for the kids. Weren't sure how they'd deal with that -- but they did GREAT. They didn't get nasty around the witching hour (~dinner), and made it all the way through to the fireworks show and snow at 7:45pm. Connor just BARELY made it....only minutes after plopping down in B.O.B (stroller) after the fireworks, he was OUT before we even got out through the front gates.

The quick recap:

• Rockets -- Connor's favorite from previous trip
  
• Ariel visit -- of course Avery really loves this
  
• Fantasyland Carousel
  
• Dumbo -- Avery's equivalent of Connor's love for rockets
  
• Tea cups -- luckily they didn't spin us too much :)
  
• Small World -- decorated really cool for the holidays, tons of lights, xmas trees, etc. Songs were even switched to mix in Jingle Bells, etc.
  
• Lunch at Buzz LightYear show -- another one of Connor's favorites (of course)
  
• Winnie the Pooh -- got fast pass since it's too crowded.
  
• Train around the park
  
• Visit with the characters: Tiger, Ior, Pooh. Avery wasn't too into seeing these guys up close and personal.
  
• Pirates of the Carribean -- Avery wasn't too sure about this one. Kinda dark and funny guys singing
  
• Winnie the Pooh -- this time we ride it with our fast pass, after a short delay when the ride was broken
  
• Jungle Cruise
  
• Autopia Cars -- Avery spotted these from the train ride. They were both CRAZY, giggling drivers.
  
• Dinner on Main Street, then back to Small World area for parade and fireworks.
  
• Kids on our shoulders (ugh) for the parade. Saw all the big names: Princesses, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Ariel, Buzz, Woody, Santa and his reindeer
  
• Fireworks were excellent. Synched with music -- fun.
  
• Finally, the SNOW. Really just bubbles, but kids were loving it. Avery put her hood up to not get the snow on her head.
  

to-do:

halloween, bob and wendy
grandma / gpa -- move down here to fallbrook

dad: "roley polie olie's dad is a nerd"
AP: "dad, you are are a nerd too....but I won't tell any of my kids at school....and I'm a careful girl"

watching home videos of the kids, they talk about themselves in the 3rd person, not understanding that it's them in the videos

Sounding Words Correctly

They are still working on getting the pronunciation of letters/words correct. Progressing well:

Connor
d: Say YES
c: yes
d: Say Yellow
c: lllllello (trouble with the starting Y I guess)

Connor can finally say "Little" after struggling with it the past couple months. Whenever he would try, and still get it wrong: "That was a good one"

Pronuciates Avery correctly now, and can tell you that he used to call her "Avey"

Spelling Words

The kids are great at recognizing letters now, and so their interest is growing trying to spell words, etc. They are starting to spell out words around town as they see them everywhere. Funny how they try to say what words mean, without knowing what word they spell:

Connor at the Wild Animal Park reading the sign at the food stand: O-P-E-N, that say Hot Dog!

Connor going into the women's bathroom with Mommy: L-A-D-I-E-S, that say Girls!

Avery spells a ton of words too. When we pull up to park somewhere, she demands that there's a sign of some sort on her side. She ends up spelling all the words on the sign.

Driving

They now know their directions, but only as they relate to being in the car.
Left is "Connor's side"
Right is "Avery's side"
Straight is "Mommy's way"

Many requests for various ways into our neighborhood:

• Connor: "longest way" -- come in on Mariposa and go through the tract, likes looking at houses and stuff along the way
  
• Avery: "plane way" -- the standard entrance
  
• A/C: "apple way" -- come in from down at Lion park. The wall with bird of paradise logo looks like apple
  

Ding the 'Teers

Connor is SOOO into the "Fireman Show" these days at LegoLand. For that matter - anything fire related is his favorite!

So Jamie took them to LL a couple weeks ago, and of course, as is the case on every LL trip now, they watched the "Fireman Show". It was a BIG DAY for Connor:

At the start, Captain Stern asks for a volunteer from the crowd to ring the bell that brings out the volunteer firemen/women. On this weekday during school season, apparently there were only a handful of kids. So when she asked for volunteers, Connor was emphatically raising his hand, and actually already starting to head down the stairs. Captain Stern went ahead and picked Connor.

So...Connor got to "ding the 'teers" as he describes it when telling anyone about it.

Of course, round out this greatest of shows with hi-5's from Vern (the nerdy fireman) as he runs through the crowd at the start, and then shake hands with Vern at the end of the show.

Fireman Update
Everything in Connor's world right now is fire-related. Some examples:

• points out all "hyrates" (fire hydrant) and "stinguishers" he sees around town/buildings
  
• re-enact the LegoLand fireman show at least a couple times a day at home
  
• any letter F he sees in any word - "F is for fireman"
  
• Scott Quinlan sent the kids a fireman coloring book - Connor sleeps with his.
  
• LOVE hearing about Scott's job, driving the ladder/tiller truck, the one with the dude that drives the back of the truck
  
• now has TWO sets of the same fireman PJs. This is so he can STILL wear them, even when Mommy is washing the other set
  

Avery is Mini-Mommy

I guess Avery P is picking up some phrasology from mommy...

While walking behind Daddy in the house this morning: "Daddy, listen...I think I have diaper issues" (diaper was not attached well after all night)

Connor was leaning in close and talking to Avery's Ariel money-bank: "Connor, you can't talk to her....it's NOT possible".

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Funny to hear the different interpretations by Connor and Avery:

Avery: Mary had a wittle wamb, wittle wamb, wittle wamb....

Connor: Mary had a yittle yamb, yittle yamb, yittle yamb...

Melt Daddy's Heart

The other night when putting Avery to bed, she gave me (daddy) a couple extra kisses. The reason why:

"i give you extra kisses daddy....cuz i wuv you..."

Crap

Mommy got busted the other day with her foul language!

Jamie, Connor & Avery were down the street at Kevin and Julia's house. Connor was apparently carrying all his normal pile of goods when he wanted to throw a ball to Veronica (their dog). When he discovered he didn't have a spare hand, he non-shalantly (sp?) told Jamie: "mom, can you hold all my crap?"

3rd Birthday Party

Wow - what a party! Had a large turnout for their party Sunday. I think Jamie's latest numbers had it at about 60 people, about half of those were kids, most of them under 5 years old.

The party was at our house, mostly outside, both in the backyard and frontyard. We rented a "Castle" jumpy, but it was too big to fit in the backyard, so it went in the front. We knew this when we ordered it, so just had the party all over the property.

Theme: Bob the Builder, and Arial.
Food: Costco Pizza, salads by Jamie.
Cakes: Bob the Builder & Arial blue round from Cathy Wagner. Didn't even get to the Costco one.
Pinata: Bob the Builder

Kids (in no particular order, and I'm sure I'll miss some): Ferch, Rasmussen, Whitney, Shinnick, Pisacane, Wagner, Savitt, Jones, Gma/Pa Hanan, GMa Dailey, Meyer, Luge', Mel/Daniel, Stokesberry!, Bo & bro from our street, ...

Jumpy deflated on C&A, Z&A before the party started. Scary - apparently the intake slid off the air pump thingy. Wow, that thing deflates FAST! Kids were screaming, crying, etc. Duck taped it all back together for the rest of the day.

Avery's Big Head

We've always been putting the gate up at the top of the stairs at night. I guess it's mostly to prevent the kids from heading downstairs in their sleep some night.

Last week, we could hear the kids out at the top of the stairs working on trying to remove the gate. There's just tension springs on each side, so they're just not strong enough to pull it off. We suddenly heard Connor heading down the stairs (voice getting more and more faint). "gama barba ann" is visiting, so he was going down there to "wake her up". Since the gate doesn't reach down to the carpet, apparently, he slid underneath it and cruised on down.

A few seconds later, we hear Connor coaching Avery, saying "just go under the gate Avey". Avery's response:
I got a big head Connor!

After another few seconds of contemplating what to do, Avery comes out with "...Got a big head going on here!..."
Then, starting to whine, "big head..."

Daddy to the rescue -- I crawled out there to the top of the stairs to show Avery "the trick": turn her head to slide under the gate. Ah-ha. She's now SOOO grateful to Daddy for showing her "the trick".

The next morning, Connor was first to crawl under the gate, then turns to Avery, "How's your big head?". Avery answers: "I know the trick!"

This has now become a daily occurance -- sliding under the gate early in the morning to go wake up grandma. Well, we are at least only lettting them do it now if there's "a 7 on the clock".

Disneyland

The big trip to Disney -- 2 day session, stayed at the Disneyland Hotel for a night in between. Quite an adventure, first time for the kids, and Jamie or I had not been there for about 10 years.
The quick list of the adventures:

• Monorail from hotel into TomorrowLand - virtually everything there was closed (Space Mountain, Autopia)
  
• Got there just in time for Buzz Lightyear Live! show. To infinity...and beyond. Connor was stoked on Buzz and his helper girl. He walks around the house now doing the stomp, stomp, cross hands over chest, point to the sky...
  
• Small World with no line. Sweet. Avery says "dark mom" right when we enter the building. But got used to the singing people and enjoyed it.
  
• Mikey's Toon Town - at first, not much going on there, looked at a few things. Then Jamie was right in front on Mickey's house when they re-opened it after a break. Went cruising through the house, Avery started to wonder when at the end waiting in a short line. (They aren't big on the characters that are all dressed up -- when can't see human behind there anywhere, they're a bit scared). Open the door, and THERE'S MICKEY!! Mommy had to hold A & C, and get close to Mickey. Daddy took a picture while Avery is saying "go away Mickey".
  
• FantasyLand - carousel was a big hit, loved the horses going up, then down...
  
• Late lunch and back to hotel for nap. Avery on couch and Connor on the bed - crashed surprisingly fast for all the distractions.
  
• Dinner with Hanan clan - Connor was stoked to be with Zack and Adam. Daddy: "Connor, what do you want for dinner, chicken nuggets or burgers". Connor turns to Zack, "Zack, what are you having for dinner". Zack: "Burgers - two of them". Connor back to Daddy: "I have burgers"
  
• After slow dinner - bedtime for tired kids: 9pm. Same bed, but again, crashed quickly.
  
• Day two start - kids slept decently late since blackout curtains in the hotel. At 715am, they weren't aware that it was "morning time" already. Opened the drapes a tad and let in some light to their amazement.
  
• Got to California Adventure when the gates opened at 10am. Went straight to the already lined up "Playhouse Disney". This was AWESOME. Sit in small theatre on the ground and watched all their buddies: Bear and gang (pip, pop, ojo, tutter, etc), Rollie Pollie Ollie, Pooh and friends, Stanely. Bubbles from the ceiling, confetti, dancing, the kids loved it.
  
• Not much else to do in DCA, a few more rides...
  
• Avery wanted desperately to do Dumbo - a bit of a line, but they're getting used to waiting, and doing very well.
  
• Tried Pinnochio's ride after that - not good. Dark and LOUD. Avery halfway through, crying a bit, and "cover my eyes". Connor covers his mouth when he gets scared or worried - this caused a "double mouth cover".
  
• Carousel again - loved the horses just the same.
  
• Daddy and Mommy got to fast pass the (new to us) Indiana Jones ride. Stroller pass allowed Jamie to go in the exit -- sweet deal.
  
• Now it's almost 4pm -- WAY past naptime and departure goal for us and kids. Head out, do some shopping at the HUGE Disney store in Downtown Disney.
  
• Get bags and car from hotel, back in car and on the way home at about 5pm. Kids are dead asleep before we even hit the freeway.
  

Avery Likes Chocolate!

At a play-group Easter egg hunt today, apparently Avery "came around" to liking Chocolate all of a sudden. She was opening up a Hershey's kiss from inside an egg, when Mommy warned her - "Avery, that's chocolate, you may not like it". AP - "Avery just *try* it". Sure enough, she didn't spit it out, and said at the end -- now Avey like chocolate...

Avery BedTime Babbling
J, Jamie, Mommy Hanan....what mommy last name? Hanan....

Avery Pee Pee in the Potty

Avery went pee-pee in the potty today!!! First time.
Got out of the tub and panicked to have a diaper. We plopped her on the potty and swish....there it went.
"I pushed down my nina and it came out -- just like Mommy..."

IHOP Breakfast, according to Avery P
I had pancakes...no eggs, no bacon. Scambled eggs go on Mommy's plate, bacon goes on Connor's plate. And syrup...

My Daddy is SO Clever

Avery P --- "my daddy is sooooo clever" (we forget what this was about, something related to getting a yellow plate or whatever for her)

Wild Animal Park

Action packed day:

• Wild Animal Park (mom and grandma)
  
• Lunch at the North County Fair -- Red Robin (fries and berbers)
  
• Short nap, then off to play and dinner at neighbor Ellie's. (Pat & Oscar's -- the breadstick place)
  

Connor Knows his Birthday

Actually, they both know that their birthday is on May 26, but Connor is obsessed with letting people know.

Today they were at the Wild Animal Park with Mommy and Grandma (Baba-Ann). Some random comes up and asks, oh, how old are they.

Connor's instant answer: "2...almost 3 (struggling to show 3 with his fingers, holding down the pinky with the thumb is still a bit tricky) like Rand....May tenty-six..."

What a nerd.

Trip to the Mall

According to AP...

Had bedsticks, and candy...gama had coke bottles, Avey had scoggies (frogs), and worms....and Connor had ice keam --- vamilla, mommy had chocate.

Random Stuff

"catch me up" - AP going up stairs wanting Connor to catch up to her.
random lady - "who's the oldest"? AP answer: gama (Barbara Ann)! guess that's accurate

Early Words

Came into M&D bedroom early this morning,
CD - "wooking for my singer nail"
AP - "wook in connor room, in avey room, in bafwoom, in shower....you got waaahht choices..."

Grandma Ancy came to get the kids today and take them up to HB.
CD - "go see gampa and he say 'hey dood' "